# NTSB LAX91FA207: Cessna 205, N8360Z, Fallon, NV, May 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1991, 11:37 local (18:37 UTC)
- Place: Fallon, NV
- Coordinates: 39.500473, -118.289726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5005&lon=-118.2897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA207

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL, STALL/SPIN, AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

A CESSNA 205 COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS WITNESSED TO START ITS TAKEOFF ROLL FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE AIRPLANE THEN CLIMBED AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE NOSE UP ATTITUDE DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB, STALLED, AND THEN SPUN TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT FRONT SEAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTER MARKET MECHANICAL SEAT STOP ON THE SEAT FLOOR RAIL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRPLANE INCLUDING NO EVIDENCE OF THE PILOT'S SEAT SLIDING DURING THE TAKEOFF ROTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8360Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8360Z-1994-06-29), registration cancelled 1994-06-29, S/N 2050360 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 205-0360
- Airframe hours: 3707
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clifford J. Heaverne
- Registered owner: Clifford J. Heaverne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1990, 55 hours before
- Airport: FLX, Fallon, runway 3, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 248 total, 18 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFL, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910511015289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910511015289A), May 11, 1991: Cessna 2105, Fallon, NV, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Stalled and entered spin on nose high climbout. Impact near vertical. Near gross weight and high density altitude.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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